The bandh call given by the BJP over the farm loan waiver issue affected normal life here on Monday.
Earlier, the BJP workers reportedly went round the city asking business establishments, government offices and banks to close down operations for the day.
On Sunday evening also the BJP made a public announcement asking people to voluntarily support the bandh call.
As a result, most of the business establishments in the market area, including hotels and cinemas, refrained from conducting business. Fearing clash with protesters, some of the shops, which had opened, later chose to close down their operations for the day.
BJP Raitha Morcha members gathered at the Alur Venkat Rao Circle and staged a protest by burning old tyres and forming a human chain. As the State transport buses started plying, the protesters entered into heated arguments with the transport officials asking them to terminate bus services.
As the officials were reluctant to terminate services, some mischief-mongers threw stones on three buses damaging their wind-shield. It is alleged that some protesters even thrashed college students for questioning them on stopping bus services. However, no complaint has been filed in this regard.
In Hubballi, the bandh call received lukewarm response. Life was not affected much as educational institutions, banks, petrol bunks and public transport services functioned as usual.
The bandh did not receive much support from most farmers and pro-Kannada organisations. While NWKRTC buses operated as usual, city bus services were hampered till noon. A majority of shops were open and did normal business.
BJP workers staged a protest at Rani Chennamma Circle and formed a human chain. MP Pralhad Joshi, who joined the protesters at Rani Chennamma Circle, told reporters that the public supported bandh voluntarily and that the bandh was successful.
Some buses operated as officers forced drivers and conductors to carry on with their job, he said.
The government had to announce waiver of farm loans, otherwise Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has no moral right to continue in the post, he said.
